Cargo Ship Hein Grounds Off Trinidad, Fuel Leak Reported

The general cargo ship Hein ran aground and partially submerged off the southern shoreline of Monas Island in Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago, on June 11.

Cargo Shift Triggers Emergency Grounding

The vessel, which was transporting a load of bricks to Kingstown in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, experienced a sudden shift in its cargo, causing it to list to the port side and lose stability. To prevent the ship from capsizing, the crew made the decision to ground it intentionally. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

While the hull is said to have remained structurally sound, hydrocarbon leakage has been detected from the vessel’s bilge, posing a growing environmental risk to the Gulf of Paria and Chaguaramas basin.

Spill Response and Environmental Concerns

Local authorities have confirmed that operations are underway to refloat the Hein. In response to the spill, the environmental group Fishermen and Friends of the Sea has demanded urgent intervention. They are calling on officials to activate the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan to contain the pollution and safeguard the region’s marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

Vessel Background

The Hein, built in 1966, is registered under the Guyanese flag. The ship is 61.75 meters in length, 10.04 meters wide, and has a cargo capacity of 1,065 tonnes.

As cleanup efforts continue, concerns remain over the environmental impact and potential long-term effects on marine life in the area.